angel - rafe cameron (outerbanks)

3 - stop digging

chapter 31
stop digging

angie stirred, the warmth around her momentarily lulling her back into sleep. the scent of cologne, salt water, and something else distinctly rafe clung to the sheets, wrapping around her like a second skin. for a few blissful seconds, she forgot where she was.

but then she shifted, the mattress dipping slightly, and reality came rushing back.

rafe was still next to her.

he was turned on his side, one arm tucked under his pillow, his breathing slow and steady. in sleep, his face always looked softer, almost peaceful—none of the usual tension lining his jaw, none of the sharp edges he wore like armor when he was awake.

angie let out a slow breath, watching him for a brief moment, her heart a confusing mix of warmth and caution. she had never seen him so vulnerable. it made her feel closer to him and, at the same time, terrified.

memories from the night before drifted through her mind—hours spent talking, trying to piece together maddie's secrets, the hushed tone in rafe's voice when he told her she needed to be careful if she went anywhere alone. his eyes, usually so guarded, had softened when he spoke those words. the way he had leaned in, pressing a kiss to her forehead. his lips had lingered there just a fraction longer than necessary, like he was trying to say something he couldn't.

"i just don't want anything to happen to you."

the memory caught in her chest like a shard of glass, sharp and cold. her throat tightened as she tried to swallow the emotions threatening to surface. she couldn't afford to get comfortable. comfort would mean she could trust him, and trust was dangerous. especially now, when everything felt uncertain.

angie slowly, carefully slid out from under the sheets, her movements light as she tried not to disturb him. the last thing she needed was rafe asking questions—questions she didn't have the energy to answer. she needed to figure this out on her own. the idea of dragging him deeper into whatever was happening, especially when he was so invested in keeping her safe, felt unfair.

her bare feet made contact with the cool tile of the bathroom floor, sending a shiver up her spine. she gripped the edge of the sink, staring at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes hollow from lack of sleep. her hair was a tangled mess, strands falling into her face, and the smudges under her eyes looked like they belonged to someone else entirely.

she barely recognized herself.

her phone buzzed, cutting through the silence of the bathroom.

she frowned, feeling a sudden tightness in her chest. who was it now?her fingers hesitated as they reached for it.

sleep well, evangeline? stop digging.

the message appeared on the screen, the words blurry in her panicked gaze. she read it again, slower this time, her breath catching in her throat.

someone knew where she was. someone was watching.

the cold, oppressive weight of paranoia sank into her bones. her mind raced through every possible scenario. was it someone from her past? a random stranger? or worse, was it someone connected to the people she had been trying to distance herself from for so long?

she glanced at the bathroom window, the mirror, the doorway. her heart hammered against her ribs. she didn't feel safe here. her skin crawled as if someone were standing just outside her door, watching.

calm down.

the words were a mantra she tried to force into her mind. it could be a prank. but then again, it could not be. she'd never felt this exposed before. the fear clawing at her chest felt real, not just imagined. she needed to leave.